NOTES ABOUT PONY CLUB TRIATHLONS / TETRATHLONS FOR BEGINNERS
AIM to encourage interest in riding by combining with other activities, thereby retaining interest in Pony Club.
PERSONAL AIM to amass as many points as possible over the different activities
TRIATHLONS usually consist of Running, Shooting and Swimming.
Add Riding for a TETRATHLON!!
RULES quite complex!! But I have briefly provided some main points below. Please contact the Secretary for a copy of the current rulebook for more details.
AGE GROUPS
Minis 8-11
Juniors 12-14
Open 15 +
There is also a Novice section, which is primarily to bridge gap between Junior and Open
ENTRIES. All compete as individuals; also each pony club can form teams of 3 or 4 competitors in an age groups. If not enough from our branch to submit a team, organising branches often amalgamate members to make up mixed teams, within an age group. The 3 highest scores from each team count towards team prizes.
PRIZES usually individual, teams and best of each phase are awarded, per age group.
PHASES
| SHOOTING. | Air pistols shot at standard pony club targets. 5 practice shots, followed by 10 competition shots. Maximum 1000 points
TRAINING Our club has a few pistols for use by members at organised practice sessions. |
| RUNNING. | Over a marked course, usually all grass!! Distances as follows
TRAINING make the most of XC running at school plus any training you can do at home will help. Hopefully some sessions at Heathers in the near future! |
| SWIMMING. | Each competitor has a lane of a 25m pool (usually), The object is to swim as far as possible in the time allowed for your age group. Any swimming style can be used, you do not need to dive start or tumble turn if you don’t want to!! You can even stop and re-start from the same point if you wish!!
TRAINING most of you will do swimming at school or via a swim club. There are sessions at Taunton (organised by TVH PC) on a Tues evening, but I know there is a waiting list! |
| RIDING | Over Cross Country course, much like a normal Hunter Trial but usually with both a slip rail (negotiated by dismounting) and a gate (mounted). For Juniors plus, the course is also given an optimum time. For a clear round within any time allowed will amass a maximum of 1400 points. Below is list of the maximum height of fences per section, but very often (especially for minis) the courses are more lenient.
TRAINING attend as many XC schooling rallies as possible, and any Hunter Trial will provide good practice. Gates and slip rails can be practiced at home!!! |
NB You don’t have to be a brilliant athlete to take part in this very enjoyable Pony Club event. It really is lots of fun and you get to know Pony Club members from other Branches and Centres.
GO ON – GIVE IT A GO!!!!!!! For information on competitions, training or any other queries please contact Mrs Nicola Nicholls on 01823 481119 or email jerseynicholls@hotmail.com.